Read in the news
|
Published on 25 June 2020

World - Thousands around the world protest George Floyd's death in global display of solidarity

Protesters have marched in the US for six consecutive nights over the death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer. Their anger over the killing of the unarmed black man has now spread worldwide.

Published on June 1st, in CNN

Over the weekend demonstrators gathered in London, Berlin and Auckland, among other cities, to protest against police brutality in solidarity with the US crowds.

Britain

In London, protesters rallied in Trafalgar Square on Sunday morning, in defiance of Britain's lockdown rules which prohibit large gatherings.

Some participants marched to the US embassy in the capital's Nine Elms area.

On Monday, the Metropolitan Police said six people were arrested at a protest after they failed to "comply with police instructions."

People hold placards as they join a Black Lives Matter march at Trafalgar Square in London on Sunday, May 31.

People hold placards as they join a Black Lives Matter march at Trafalgar Square in London on Sunday, May 31.

Germany

Crowds gathered in Berlin in front of the US embassy on Saturday and Sunday. Participants wore face masks and carried signs declaring "Black lives matter" and "Justice can't wait".

People attend a rally against racism in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on Sunday, May 31.

People attend a rally against racism in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on Sunday, May 31.

France

Activists wearing black clothing and face masks took a knee and held up signs reading "I can't breathe," "We are all George Floyd" and "Racism chokes us" in Paris on Monday.

 

Describing the video of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis as "surreal and unbearable," the protest organizers called on "all individuals with a sense of justice" to condemn the "racist crime perpetrated by the police," calling it an "ordinary" occurrence in the US.

The scene outside the US embassy in Paris on Monday.

The scene outside the US embassy in Paris on Monday.

Denmark

Chants of "no justice, no peace" were heard In the streets of Copenhagen on Sunday, as protesters marched over Floyd's death. Some rallied outside the Danish capital's US embassy.

People protest during a Black Lives Matter demonstration in front of the US Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Sunday, May 31

People protest during a Black Lives Matter demonstration in front of the US Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Sunday, May 31

Italy

In Milan, crowds held a flashmob near the city's US consulate on Thursday.

A flash mob gathers outside the American consulate in Milan, Italy on Thursday, May 28.

A flash mob gathers outside the American consulate in Milan, Italy on Thursday, May 28.

Syria

Syrian artists Aziz Asmar and Anis Hamdoun created a mural depicting George Floyd in the town of Binnish, in Syria's northwestern Idlib province, on Monday.

Aziz Asmar and Anis Hamdoun stand with their mural.

Aziz Asmar and Anis Hamdoun stand with their mural.

Brazil

People protested outside the Guanabara Palace, the home of the state government, in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, while in Sao Paulo, some brought signs showing solidarity with the US protests to an existing demonstration against President Jair Bolsonaro.

Protesters in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.

Protesters in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.

Mexico

Portraits of Floyd were hung on the fence outside the US embassy in Mexico City, alongside flowers, candles and signs reading "Racism kills, here, there, and all over the world."

Signs and flowers outside the US embassy in Mexico City.

Signs and flowers outside the US embassy in Mexico City.

Ireland

Demonstrators streamed down the streets of Dublin's city center on Monday, chanting "I can't breathe," while a smaller protest was held in the suburb of Blanchardstown.

"People in Ireland are seeing what's happening and we are just as angry and frustrated," marcher Anna Herevin told CNN. "The protest was a show of solidarity with our friends in the US but also a united stand against endemic racism, which is a global threat."

"In terms of solidarity protests with a movement in another country, this was the biggest I've seen," she said.

New Zealand

Protests over Floyd's killing were held in multiple locations across New Zealand on Monday. Thousands held demonstrations and vigils in cities including Auckland and Christchurch, while crowds braved the rain to hold a vigil in Wellington.

Protestors march down Queen Street in Auckland, New Zealand on Monday, June 1.

Protestors march down Queen Street in Auckland, New Zealand on Monday, June 1.

Canada

Several protests were also held in Canada during the weekend, as crowds rallied against alleged police brutality.

On Saturday, demonstrators in Toronto chanted slogans associated with the Back Lives Matter movement.

And on Sunday, thousands gathered in Vancouver in a show of solidarity with US protesters.

Protesters chanting slogans during a rally in Toronto on Saturday, May 30.

Protesters chanting slogans during a rally in Toronto on Saturday, May 30.

Poland

Residents in Krakow, Poland, gathered at the city's US consulate on Sunday evening. Some lit candles in a tribute to Floyd.

A man lights a candle in front of the US Consulate in Krakow on Sunday, May 31.

A man lights a candle in front of the US Consulate in Krakow on Sunday, May 31.

Australia

A large group gathered in Perth's Central Business District (CBD) on Monday to hold a Black Lives Matter protest.

As well as expressing solidarity with US protesters, those gathered were also demonstrating against the treatment of minority and indigenous groups in Australia.

At least three more rallies have been planned in multiple Australian cities.